INTERNATIONAL DRYLAND DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION (IDDC)
Tenth International Conference on Development of Drylands
Meeting the Challenge of Sustainable Development in Drylands under Changing Climate – Moving from Global to Local
12-15 December 2010, Muscat, Oman
Sponsored by
Ministry of Agriculture and the Research Council of Oman
The International Dryland Development Commission (IDDC), which is an autonomous nongovernmental nonprofit organization established in 1987 by the individuals and institutions interested in sustainable development of dry areas, is promoting all aspects of dryland studies by fostering cooperation, collaboration and networking between various international, regional and national organizations. One of the important modus operandi of the networking of IDDC has been to hold a major scientific conference every three years to provide opportunity to participants from around the world to exchange research results and experiences in dryland development and combating desertification. In pursuance of this objective the IDDC has organized in the past nine international conferences. The Commission is hosted by the Bibliotheca Alexandrina in Alexandria, Egypt.
The Tenth International Conference on Dryland Development (ICDD) on “Meeting the Challenge of Sustainable Development in the Dry Lands under Changing Climate – Moving from Global to Local” will be held on 12-15 December 2010 in Muscat, Oman. It will be organized under the auspices of the International Dry Lands Development Commission (IDDC) and sponsored by the Ministry of Agriculture and the Research Council of Oman and other national and international organizations.
Proposed Topics of Interest
There is increasing evidence that the ecological impact of the global climate change is being witnessed much faster than earlier anticipated. Dry areas of the world have highly fragile ecosystem, which is highly vulnerable to the anticipated environmental changes. For sustainable development of the dry lands and other dry areas, it is important that the resilience of these ecosystems to cope with the challenges of global climate change is enhanced. However, the assessment of climate change at the global level masks the changes that are occurring at regional and local levels. In order to develop effective adaptive and mitigation strategies, it is necessary that assessment at local levels covering various ecologies is done. The Conference will provide an opportunity to see how assessment could be moved from global to smaller spatial levels and the probable impact of these changes on the natural resources and agricultural productivity of different ecosystems in the dry areas and exchange information and possible ways to enhance the resilience of these systems through adaptation and mitigation strategies using traditional knowledge as well as modern science and technology. It will also identify challenges faced by the communities that live there, and reducing the pace of climate change through improved management of natural resources of water, land and biodiversity in the dry areas.
Subjects to be addressed include the following:
1. Assessment of climatic change in arid lands: Moving from global to local
2. Local impact of climate change on the natural resources of water, land, and biodiversity and the productivity of agriculture (including fishery) in the dry areas; national case studies.
3. Enhancing resilience of local agricultural communities in the drylands through adaptation strategies involving improved methods for water capture, management infrastructure, and use, development and selection of crops and varieties adapted to low moisture regimes and high temperature stress, and appropriate agronomic management practices including conservation agriculture.
4. Mitigation strategies to cope with climate change in dry areas based on reducing greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture and food chains, and through development and use of solar and other sources for renewable energy and through carbon sequestration.
5. Blending indigenous/traditional knowledge and heritage with modern science in the sustainable development of dry areas under changing climate, particularly with respect to water use, including ground water, and cropping systems.
6. Socioeconomic, institutional and policy considerations for development of dry areas under impact of climate change.
Papers
Papers are invited covering scientific and developmental aspects within the framework of the topics suggested above. They should build on existing knowledge and have projections for future direction. They could be presented orally or as posters, as decided by the International Scientific Committee.
Persons planning to present papers at the Conference should submit a one page, single spaced abstract of 200-300 words by 30 June 2010. Completed manuscript must be submitted by 31 August 2010. Papers must be formatted as per the guidelines provided by the International Scientific Committee. The Conference language will be English. One copy of the proceedings volume containing the papers presented at the Conference will be provided to registered participants.
Registration
The registration fee is US$ 300 (US $ 150 for students) for those registering by 31 July 2010. Fee for registration later than 31 July 2010 will be US $ 400 (US $200 for student). The registration fee covers workshop publications including the proceedings and coffee/tea/snacks during the forenoon and afternoon breaks and lunch for 4 days (12-15 December). The local transportation, visa arrangements and other logistics will be covered by the courtesy of the host country.
The conference scientific tour will emphasize the use of traditional knowledge in managing the water resources (Aflaj system) amongst other interesting applications of science and technology in managing natural resources in the dry areas.
Conference Deadlines
Arrival of abstracts 30 June 2010
Authors notified of acceptance of papers 31 July 2010
Early registration deadline 31 July 2010
Complete manuscripts to be submitted to the organizers 31 August 2010
If you are considering attending the Conference, please complete the attached form and return it to the address indicated. This will ensure that you receive additional information and registration material, and will assist the planning.
International Scientific Committee
Members: / H.E. Dr Hilal Al-Hinai, Secretary General, The Research Council, Sultanate of Oman
Prof. Iwao Kobori, Senior Program Advisor, United Nations University, Tokyo, Japan
Prof. Charles F. Kennel, Distinguished Professor of Atmospheric Science, Emeritus Senior Advisor, Sustainability Solutions Institute, University of California, San Diego, USA
Prof. Dr R.G. Wyn Jones, Associate Director, Center for Arid Zone Studies, University College of North Wales, UK, Secretary-General, IDDC
Prof. Dr Atsushi Tsunekawa, Director of Arid Land Research Center, Tottori University, Japan
Dr. Zafar Adeel, Director, United Nations University - Institute for Water, Environment and Health ( UNU-INWEH), Hamilton, Canada
Dr. M.V.K. Sivakumar, Director, Climate Prediction and Adaptation (CLPA) Branch, World Meteorological Organization (WMO), Geneva, Switzerland
Dr. Ayman Abu-Hadid, President, Agriculture Research Council (ARC), Ministry of Agriculture and Land Reclamation, Giza, Cairo, Egypt
Dr. Maarten van Ginkel, Deputy Director General, International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA), Aleppo, Syria
Prof. Dr. Wang Tao, Director General, Cold and Arid Regions Environmental & Engineering Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou 730000, China
Prof. Dr Mohan Saxena, Senior Advisor to the Director General, ICARDA, Gurgaon, Haryana, India, Executive Secretary, ICDD
Local Organizing Committee
Chairman: / H.E. Eng. Khalfan Al-Naabi, Undersecretary, Ministry of Agriculture, OmanMembers: / Dr. Ahmed Al-Bakri, Director General of Agriculture & Livestock Research, Ministry of Agriculture, Oman
Mr. Ibrahim Al-Ajmi, Director General of Climatic Affairs, Ministry of Environment & Climatic Affairs, Oman
Eng. Sulaiman Al-Riyami, Water Resources Expert, Ministry of Regional Municipalities & Water Resources, Oman
Dr. S.A. Prathapar, Dean, College of Agriculture & Marine Sciences, Sultan Qaboos University, Oman
Expert, Ministry of Agriculture, Oman
The International Dry Lands Development Commission (IDDC)
Tenth International Conference on Dry Land Development
Letter of Intent
Full Name:………………………………………………………..Title: Dr/Prof/Mr./Ms
(First name) (Middle name) (Surname)
Nationality:………………………………………………………………………………
Address:………………………………………………………………………………….
……………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………….
Telephone (business):……………………………………………………………………
Fax (business):…………………………………………………………………………...
E-Mail:……………………………………………………………………………………
Please mark your choice in the box by x
- Participate in the Conference with no paper or poster presentation [ ]
- Present a poster under the title: ………………………………….. [ ]
……………………………………………………………………
- Make an oral presentation under the title:……………………… [ ]
…………………………………………………………………….
4. Participate in the post-conference excursion [ ]
…………………….. …......
Name Signature and Date
Please return this letter of intent electronically to:
Dr. Mohan C. Saxena, Executive Secretary, IDDC
E-mail: ;
Copied to:
Prof. Dr. Adel El-Beltagy, Chair of IDDC
E-mail: ;
And a hard copy to:
The ICDD Secretariat
19 Aboul Feda St., Zamalek, Cairo, Egypt
Zip code: 11211
Fax: +202-35681581
INTERNATIONAL DRYLAND DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION (IDDC)
Tenth International Conference on Dry Land Development:
12-15 December 2010, Muscat, Sultanate of Oman
Registration form
Surname (family name) : / First name:Institution:
Address:
Postal code: / City:
Country:
Phone: / Fax:
E-mail:
Registration Fees: / Payment
before 31July 2010 after 31 July 2010
US $ / US $
Registration* of International Participants / 300 / 400
Registration* of Local participants / 150 / 200
Registration – Student** / 150 / 200
Total
* The registration fee covers participation in all sessions, conference materials including the proceedings, morning and afternoon coffee and lunch.
** Submit a copy of your student card with your registration
Please pay the registration fees by crossed cheque in favour of International Dryland Develoment Commission, with the note: ‘Registration fees for 10th ICDD’
Or
by wire transfer to the following account of Bibliotheca Alexandrina for the International Dryland Development Commission:
Commercial International Bank (CIB) Library Branch, El-Shatby, Alexandria, Egypt
Account #: USD 41-8930001-7
EUR 41-8980001-6
EGP 41-8900000-5
CIB Swift Code # CIBEEGCX041
Please return this form with payment preferably not later than July 31, 2008 to:
International Dryland Development Commission Secretariat
19 Aboul Feda St., Zamalek, Cairo, Egypt; Zip code: 11211
Tel: +202 – 356 81670; Fax: +202-356 81581
e-mail: ;
INTERNATIONAL DRYLAND DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION (IDDC)
Tenth International Conference on Dry Land Development:
12-15 December 2010, Muscat, Sultanate of Oman
Appendix
AUTHOR'S GUIDELINES (BASED ON ICARDA STYLE GUIDE Ver. 2002)
Abstract
The abstract or summary of your paper should not exceed 300 words NOT including title, authors, and affiliation of each author. The abstract may not contain any figures or tables. Please use MS Word 98 and above. Use Times New Roman font 12 pt with single spacing with 2.5 cm (1 inch) margins all around. The title should be in bold. The author(s) names with initials should be in the next line. Superscripts may be used to designate affiliation of authors if different from each other. An example is provided below:
Conservation of plant biodiversity in natural habitats
A.B. Damania1, A. Amri2, and A. Shehadeh3
1 Genetic Resources Conservation Program (GRCP), University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA. Email:
2Regional Office, International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA), P.O. Box 950764, Amman, Jordan. Email:
3Genetic Resources Unit, International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA), P.O. Box 5466, Aleppo, Syria. Email:
Conservation of plant biodiversity in natural habitats, in situ, is becoming a concern of the world community. United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED)'s Agenda 21, which was adopted at the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro in 1992, urged nations to take responsibility for conservation of indigenous biodiversity, including the wider gene pool of crops. Syria, which is located in the heart of one of three world nuclear centers of agricultural origin, is rich in wild ancestors and relatives of globally or regionally important crops: wheat, barley, lentil, chickpea, vetch, chickling (Lathyrus spp.) and annual medics. These wild species have been growing in these areas for millennia and during their long history of existence they have accumulated a number of genes for adaptation for tolerance to biotic and abiotic stresses. These genes may be needed in current or future crop improvement programs.
Unfortunately, a part of the original biodiversity in this region has been lost due to several adverse factors. Among the most determinate are overgrazing by small ruminants and a loss of the natural habitat caused by changes in traditional farming practice (cultivation of grazing land, fallow replacement), by urbanization and other human activities. The loss of genetic diversity in a crop gene pool is called "genetic erosion". This negative trend is especially severe in most wild crop progenitors, not only in Syria, but also in other countries of the Near East. Recently, the Syrian national program, in collaboration with international centers, has conducted a number of collection trips during the last two decades to locate and sample the remaining populations for conservation in gene banks (ex situ). Although this joint effect yielded a number of new genebank accessions, the trips conducted and subsequent studies revealed two factors for concern.
Paper Manuscript
Please use MS Word 98 and above, and Times New Roman font 12 pt with double spacing and 2.5 cm (1 inch) margins on all sides. The title should be in bold. The author(s) names with initials should be in the next line. Superscripts may be used to designate affiliation of authors if different from each other as in the Abstract. The Corresponding Author should be marked with an asterisk (*). The length of the paper should not be more than 4000 words excluding title, affiliations, references and tables. The editors reserve the right to edit papers that are longer than required.
Title
The title should tell the reader what the paper is about. Therefore, it should be brief and informative. Use common names for crops and avoid abbreviations. The usual limit for a title is 12 nouns (not counting " the", "of", "and", etc.).
Footnotes
Footnotes are generally not encouraged, but may be used if absolutely necessary. Number any footnotes consecutively.
References
References in the text of the paper should follow the author-date system (e.g., Johnson, 1978; Johnson and Jones 1975; Green et al. 1980) with no comma between author name and date. Use the following examples in references which should be listed alphabetically at the end of your paper.
Journal article
Damania, A.B. 2002. The Hindustani center of origin of important plants. Asian Agri-History 6: 333-341.
Murphy, P.J., J.R. Witcombe, P.R. Shewry and B.J. Miflin. 2002. The origin of six-rowed barley from the Western Himalaya. Euphytica 31: 183-192.
Books
Brues, A.M. and G.A. Sacher. 1952. Mineral Cycling in South-eastern Ecosystems. Prentice-Hall, Englewood Cliffs, NJ, USA.